D.C. Women’s March attracts large crowd

January 26, 2018

Thousands of people flooded the National Mall and the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last Saturday in a show of unity against sexual harassment and to demand equal wages and opportunity for women.

The Women's March on Washington was one of several protests taking place in cities all around the country.

Protesters were energetic about recent Democratic electoral wins and optimistic about upcoming elections. Some protestors held signs with phrases like "THE STORM IS COMING, RIDE THE BLUE WAVE," in support of the Democratic Party.

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Samantha Gray/ChronicleMany of the signs at last weekend’s Women’s March in Washington, D.C., concerned President Donald Trump and his administration.

Nancy Pelosi was one of the many speakers at the event. The House minority leader reminded women that they're "transforming the world." She then took to the crowd to greet protestors.

"I am here for women's rights today and every day, every woman, all over the world," said Megan Monte, one of the March attendees.

Adele Gleixner, another attendee, said she's frustrated with President Trump.

"Trump has caused so many issues, but I will never let him take away something like this," Gleixner said. "Positivity like you're seeing today. Positivity like people standing up for what they believe in. But honestly, I can't believe I must stand here and hold this sign up today in 2018."

There were several signs about President Trump and the turmoil he has caused across the country. One read "You are the s***hole" - a reference to a comment Trump allegedly made recently about countries in Africa - and included pictures of the president. There was also a huge pink sign on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that said "Impeach#45." The back of that sign read "Narcissist."

There were several anti-abortion groups at the March expressing their support of President Trump and his conservative views, showing pictures of fetuses that had been aborted. Planned Parenthood activists stood in front of anti-abortion activists with signs, chanting "My body, my choice."

Nadia Lopez was one of the activists supporting Planned Parenthood. She held a sign that said, "We're the granddaughters of the witches you weren't able to burn."

"I'm fighting for all the women who couldnt fight for themselves today and for all the women in the past who fought for the same reasons I'm fighting today," Lopez said.

After the rally at the Lincoln Memorial, protesters marched to Lafayette Square in front of the White House, where protests continued.

Saturday's march was peaceful, although several protesters expressed their frustrations about public restrooms being closed due to the government shutdown.

Lakin Kefauver was one such protester. Kefauver said she had to use a port-a-potty for construction workers due to the shutdown.

"It was incredibly frustrating," Kefauver said. "The government is supposed to represent us, and I couldn't even use the bathroom because of their shutdown."